"If that happened, it would be unusual. I would be delighted," he revealed.

"Pep has always been my idol. I have always played in his position and wear the number four like him. He was my hero when I was young and the one I have tried to be like.

"I tried to imitate what he did as a player and now, as a coach, he is showing how good he is. He is someone that will always be important in my life."

When asked whether he could play alongside Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the Barcelona midfield, Fabregas was more coy.

"That is a difficult thing to answer, because I am not the coach of Barca. I think that all good players can play together and have an understanding, but I insist I am an Arsenal player and I cannot talk about this," he added.